RV Fun Trips --- On the Road --- FMCA Oct 2002

Yet Another FMCA Motorhome Convention
Motor Home on the Range
October 2002
Page 5

The Weather Changes

It has been said, "Be careful what you wish for, you just may get it." I had been wishing for cooler weather and I got it. In one day's time, we went from HOT to very cool. Unfortunately, with the cool weather came rain, rain, rain and more rain. The rain began falling during the night making everything very wet.

The tram transfer stop isn't so crowded now

During a morning seminar, the rain came down on the roof of the seminar building so hard that it sounded as if we were under a waterfall. At times, the sound of all the rain made it difficult to hear the person speaking even though he was using a microphone. All of this water was accompanied by good old Kansas lightning and thunder, very exciting weather.

The rain did not stop all day with it being heavier at times. There were waves of downpours that would result in water filling the streets as if they were small rivers. There was one time when I was trapped for awhile across the street from where I wanted to be. The street was lower in the middle, this meant that when the water level was from curb-to-curb, the water in the center was close to two feet deep.

When it came time to go back to our motorhomes, we had to take detours at times to avoid flooded streets. This would often take us into areas that were normally used only by service vehicles. One detour required that I backtrack nearly two blocks to find a suitable route.

The carpet is very wet, but it's not muddy

When I finally arrived at the motorhome display area, I thought I would cut through so I didn't have to walk on the muddy road. The blue carpeted area looked as if it might be a better way to go compared to the road. I found that it wasn't muddy, but it was very wet. In some areas, walking on the blue carpet was somewhat like walking on a waterbed. Then there were places where the carpet was floating over a dip in the soil below. The first time I stepped on such an area I was surprised by the lack of support. I also ended up with water in my shoes when the carpet sank into the depression resulting in it suddenly filling with water. It was a difficult trip.

For years, I've heard stories about motorhome rallies where the weather turned wet. Well, now I know about it up close and personal. We are currently concerned about how or when we will be able to get out of this place. We still had another day to go and the forecast is for rain for another four days. We are parked on grass with what used to be a grass path behind our motorhomes.

Nora and Kay finding their way back to the campground

The trams that take people to the various attractions around the fairgrounds have used the grass path. It didn't take very long for the grass path to turn to muddy ruts. A few motorhomes left early with a few getting stuck in the mud. One was pulled out of the mud by a tractor only to get stuck again. For those who have been to one of these affairs, you know how close the rigs are parked to each other. So close that one stuck RV can block many vehicles from passing including trams and service vehicles.

We heard stories of three motorhomes that became mired in the muck with one sliding into another coach. Near our motorhomes a person tried to drive his car across a shallow little ditch. He was going to try to get around a deep section of mud to get to the road. With water running in the ditch, the Saturn coupe's front wheels sank into the soft soil leaving the car stuck for most of the day. This was a short cut that wasn't.

Our group wanted to drive to a restaurant in Yoder, Kansas for dinner. The muddy path behind our motorhomes made it difficult for us to get our cars out of their parking spots located next to our motorhomes. The ruts in the path were too deep for our low slung cars. So, Tina came up with an idea for another way out.

It was a nice grassy lane at one time

I drove our car forward into the neighbor's patio area and out behind their motorhome to a path less traveled. Kevin did the same. Then we made it across a small area of muddy ruts where the path connected to the road. I could feel the front wheels break loose a little, but we both made it to the other side of the road. There we found firmer soil where we could park the cars until everyone arrived for our trip to the restaurant.

We would be eating at a restaurant located in an Amish and Mennonite farming area. The Carriage Crossing restaurant is located in Yoder, Kansas. We had a fine meal while talking about our activities during the day. A lot of our conversation was centered on the weather and if we were going to be able to get out of the camping area.

Part of the restaurant had a store that sells all kinds of products made by the people who lived in the surrounding area. After dinner we looked around at quilts, embroidery work, handmade furniture and other craft items. There were fun items as well. I took a picture of a pair of novelty road signs.

A couple of humorous road signs

When arriving back in camp, we parked our cars across the road from the motorhome area and walked back to our rigs. We will just have to wait and see how this new adventure plays out.